What is Shaolin Temple Tagou Martial Arts School? +
Shaolin Temple Tagou Martial Arts School (ε°ζε‘ζ²ζ¦ζ―ε¦ζ ‘) is the world's largest Kung Fu school. Founded in 1978 by Master Liu Baoshan, it is located inside the Mount Song Shaolin Temple Scenic Area in Dengfeng, Henan Province, China. With over 25,000 students, 550,000 mΒ² of campus, and 131 world championship titles, Tagou is the most decorated and largest Kung Fu school on Earth. It is formally approved by China's Ministry of Education to enroll international students.
How much does Shaolin Tagou cost for international students? +
Training at Shaolin Tagou costs $55 USD per day (330 RMB) or $1,150 USD per month (6,900 RMB). All tuition is all-inclusive and covers hotel-standard accommodation and 3 meals/day. A required school insurance fee is paid separately on arrival in RMB (215β1,000 RMB depending on duration). A $100 USD application fee and $200 tuition deposit are paid upfront to secure your place. The remainder of tuition is paid directly to the school on arrival in RMB.
How do I apply to train at Shaolin Tagou? +
Apply through Shaolin Worldwide at shaolinww.com/pages/tagou-application. The $100 application fee covers: school liaison, official acceptance letter, visa guidance, and airport taxi coordination. Once accepted, you'll receive the documents you need for your Chinese visa. Tuition and insurance are paid directly to the school in cash (RMB) on arrival in Dengfeng.
What is the minimum stay at Shaolin Tagou? +
There is no enforced minimum stay. You can train by the day at 330 RMB (~$55 USD) per day. A full month costs 6,900 RMB (~$1,150 USD). Most international students stay at least one month to experience meaningful skill development and cultural immersion.
What martial arts styles are taught at Shaolin Tagou? +
Shaolin Tagou teaches: Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu (bare-hand forms, basic skills, weapons), Sanda (Chinese free combat / kickboxing), Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong, Xing Yi Quan, Ba Gua Zhang, Ba Ji Quan, and Taekwondo. Optional cultural courses include Mandarin Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, and Buddhist studies.
What is the Shaolin Tagou accommodation like? +
International students stay in the Shaolin Wushu International Training Center, renovated to 3-star hotel standard in 2015. Rooms are shared doubles with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, private ensuite bathroom with shower, double beds, wardrobe, and hot water from 8pmβ8am. Upper floors have views of Mount Song. A private single room is available for an additional $200 USD/month. All accommodation is included in tuition.
How do I get to Shaolin Tagou from the airport? +
Fly into Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (IATA: CGO) in Henan Province. Shaolin Worldwide can arrange a direct taxi transfer from Zhengzhou Airport to Shaolin Tagou in Dengfeng β approximately 80km. Request this when submitting your application.
Do I need a Chinese visa to train at Shaolin Tagou? +
Yes. Most nationalities require a Chinese student (X) or tourist (L) visa. Shaolin Worldwide provides your official school acceptance letter to support the visa application. Apply through your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate at least 4β8 weeks before your travel date.
Do I need prior Kung Fu experience? +
No β complete beginners are welcome. Shaolin Tagou accepts students of all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced practitioners. Training intensity is adapted to your level. Please inform us of any injuries or physical limitations before applying.
Can adults train at Shaolin Tagou? +
Yes. The international program is open to adults of any age. Students aged 18+ from over 50 countries currently train at the school. Training is adapted to your fitness level and experience. Shaolin Tagou is not just for children β many adults train for months at a time.
Do I need to speak Chinese at Shaolin Tagou? +
No. The international student program includes translation support, and training instructions are frequently communicated physically and non-verbally. English-speaking assistance is available. Optional Mandarin Chinese language classes are offered during your stay.
How is Shaolin Tagou different from other Kung Fu schools in China? +
Shaolin Tagou is uniquely the world's largest Kung Fu school, with 25,000+ students β more than any other school in China. It sits inside the original Shaolin Temple Scenic Area at the foot of Mount Song, the birthplace of Kung Fu. The school holds 131 individual world championship titles and its graduates perform at Olympic ceremonies worldwide. No other school matches Tagou's scale, credentials, and historical location.
What does the $100 Shaolin Worldwide application fee cover? +
The non-refundable $100 USD fee paid to Shaolin Worldwide covers: school liaison and enrollment coordination, official acceptance letter processing, Chinese visa guidance, pre-departure briefing, and arrangement of your airport taxi transfer from Zhengzhou to Tagou. Tuition and insurance are paid separately to the school in RMB on arrival. Shaolin Worldwide charges nothing above the listed tuition β the fee is a one-time coordination charge only.
What is included in Shaolin Tagou all-inclusive tuition? +
Shaolin Tagou tuition is all-inclusive and covers: hotel-standard accommodation (shared double room), three meals per day seven days a week, and all Kung Fu training sessions. Not included: school insurance (paid separately in RMB on arrival), personal spending money, optional Mandarin language classes, and the private single room upgrade (+$200 USD/month).
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